Yates split the 2003 season between three minor league teams. He participated in spring training the next year,[4] and debuted against the Montreal Expos on April 9, 2004.[5][6] Ten days later, Yates earned his first major league victory in another appearance against Montreal.[7][8] By May, Yates had returned to the minor leagues to pitch as a reliever.[9] Yates underwent rotator cuff surgery and did not pitch during the 2005 season.[10][11]
Atlanta Braves/Pittsburgh Pirates
Yates was released by the Mets at the conclusion of the 2005 season, and joined the Baltimore Orioles before the 2006 season, participating in spring training as a non-roster invitee.[11] He was subsequently released from the Orioles, and signed with the Atlanta Braves on May 3, 2006.[12] Yates recorded the first save of his career on July 14, 2006, in a 15–12 extra-inning win over the San Diego Padres.[13] He made the Braves Opening Day roster in 2007,[14] and agreed to terms with the team prior to the start of the 2008 season,[15] then was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, 2008, in exchange for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond.[16]
Yates missed the second half of the 2009 season after having a second Tommy John procedure, performed by James Andrews, in July.[17] He was re-signed to a minor league deal on January 4, 2010,[18] but not expected to pitch until May or June.[19][20] He returned to the Pirates organization for the 2011 season, and participated in spring training,[21][22] until being cut from major league camp in March.[23]
Personal
Tyler is the eldest of three brothers,[24] including Spencer and Kirby Yates.[6][25] Tyler and Kirby were the second pair of brothers from Hawaii to play Major League Baseball, after Bronson and Dane Sardinha.[26] Since retiring from baseball, Tyler became a police officer in Kauai.[27] Tyler dated Liesel throughout his professional baseball career.[8][28] The two later married and had two children.[28]